HIGH-MINDED DOWNFALL

WHAT IS HIGH-MINDED?

 

High-mindedness is caused by the spirit of haughtiness (Proverbs 16:18). High-Minded is identified in Romans 11:20-21:

 

“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear. For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”

 

Contrast that statement with 1 Timothy 6:17, which says:

 

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”

 

Paul identifies several godless conditions of the last days as people who are traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God – see 2 Timothy 3:4

UP IN SMOKE

 

The literal meaning of the word in the New Testament is “to wrap in smoke.” It describes a mind held captive by conceit. It was a mind clouded with the obstruction of self-centeredness.

 

High-minded means to be arrogant or puffed up, like smoke. Symptoms are: overbearing – pompous – proud – domineering.

 

HIGH-MINDED SAMSON

 

The Old Testament judge, Samson, stands as an example of someone who was high-minded. Samson judged Israel for 20 years. Supernaturally endowed, he killed a lion, thirty Philistines, and one thousand men. He broke the strongest bands, carried off the gates of Gaza, and pulled down the Temple of Dagon (Judges 13:24-16:30).

 

As long as Samson remained a Nazarite, he was unconquerable. He only, of all the judges of whom we have history, performed his feats singlehandedly. Samson never called the armies of Israel together, and he never asked for assistance.

 

His complex life teaches us the evils of mixed marriages (Judges 14:3), the laxity of sexual relationships, and of playing with temptation. Samson is a classic example of the impotence of mind because of high-mindedness. The deadly results of his compulsive actions after he broke his Nazarite vow are chronicled in dark and ominous order:

 

  • Self-confidence: “I will go out” (Judges 16:20).
  • Self-ignorance: “He wist not” (Judges 16:20).
  • Self-weakness: “The Philistines laid hold on him” (Judges 16:21).
  • Self-darkness: “They put out his eyes” (Judges 16:21).
  • Self-degradation: “They brought him down to Gaza” (Judges 16:21).
  • Self-bondage: “They bound him with fetters” (Judges 16:21).
  • Self-drudgery: “He did grind in the prison house” (Judges 16:21).
  • Self-humiliation: “Call for Samson, that we may make us sport” (Judges 16:25, 27).

 

Samson stands out as a man of striking contrast. He had a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality.

 

HIGH-MINDED POTENTIAL ADDICTIONS

 

A high-minded person would be a prime candidate for sex addiction, drug addiction, a compulsive organizer, and a fanatic on structure.

 

DR KRIGE AND HOUSE REGENERATION

 

This adapted content was extracted from A Biblical Approach to Psychotherapy authored by Dr Ado Krige, the Founding Director of House Regeneration, a South African drug rehabilitation centre offering a comprehensive discipleship training program. By applying principles of Biblical Therapy, using the Scriptures to teach, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness, House Regeneration counsellors show anyone who has suffered from addiction how to fully understand why they do what they do and how to bring their belief systems in line with the Word of God.